Antique Engraving – Chalcography Of The Louvre After Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) The Queen

Beautiful print from the Chalcographie du Louvre, bearing its dry stamp, representing one of the episodes of the famous cycle of Marie de Medici painted by Pierre-Paul Rubens between 1622 and 1625, now preserved at the Musée du Louvre. Original painter: Pierre-Paul Rubens (mention “Rubens pinxit”) Draughtsman: Jean-Marc Nattier (1685–1766) (mention “Nattier delin.”) Engraver: Nicolas-Henri Tardieu dit Loir (1674–1746) (mention “Loir sculpsit”) Publisher: Chalcographie du Louvre (dry stamp visible at the bottom of the sheet) The allegorical scene shows the queen advised by Mercury and turned away from arms to embrace Peace and Prudence, according to the triumphant iconography developed by Rubens to exalt the policy of Marie de Medici. Image dimensions: 50 × 36.5 cm Dimensions with frame: 70 × 54.5 cm Condition: very good overall condition, fine and well-contrasted print, framed under glass. The engraving itself is an intaglio with burin and etching: The burin was used for the fineness of the lines and the details of the face and drapery. Etching was used for the shadows and the freer parts. Intaglio engraving (burin and etching), printed on laid paper (or vellum for some 19th–20th century prints), published by the Chalcographie du Louvre.